Related information

Stay alert for invasive Asian paddle crab

Fishers in the Swan River are asked to stay on the lookout for the invasive Asian paddle crab after one was recently caught at Blackwall Reach in Bicton.

The Asian paddle crab is an aggressive, non-native crab that could out-compete our native crabs and spread harmful disease to prawns, crabs and lobsters.

Distinguishing features include a shell width up to 120mm, which is smaller than blue swimmer crabs and most mud crabs, and spines between the eyes. They can also be found in various colours, from pale to olive green and brown to purple.

More information about the Asian paddle crab can be found in the department’s pest alert.

If you think you have a caught an Asian paddle crab, take photos of the suspect crab, especially from above, keep the specimen and phone the FishWatch 24 hour hotline on 1800 815 507 as soon as possible.

Disclaimer

The information and advice provided by the Department of Fisheries website is made in good faith and is from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release onto the website. Changes in circumstances after a document is placed on the website may affect the accuracy of the information. Full disclaimer details are available at www.fish.wa.gov.au.